Creating art is something that I have found to be a necessary way to feel at peace and ease with myself and my surroundings, creating art and ornamental decoration for the human body is a complete privilege and a total honor. It is something I constantly marvel at, it feels magical and is a totally surreal occupation for both the artist and canvas. Ted has been coming to get tattooed by me since 2012, we started at Saved tattoo in Brooklyn and continued in Austin Texas, at Rock of Ages, he is one of only a few customers who only get tattooed by me, a stoic and kind man who has constantly followed through, completing each stage of his body suit with a keen integrity. His level of commitment traveling from Port Perry in Canada to get tattooed is nothing short of incredible. As we round the corner to the final stages with only one session left on his legs and his sleeves to start and complete, I wanted to take a moment to thank him and share some images of our last two sessions that we just finished up this week whilst I was guesting at Saved Tattoo.

Thank you Ted for sticking with it on this journey, I really can’t put into words how grateful I am.

@michaelwaters_atx started his lower legs today so I got some photos of his healed back and thighs, very proud of this one and humbled by Michaels commitment and trust he’s given me with his back. If you are looking to get work by me I am currently giving preference to customers looking for large work, full backs and fronts. I know this is a huge commitment in time and money and I truly appreciate the kind of undertaking that this is, thank you everyone that enquires about getting tattooed I wish I could accommodate everyone.

Raking Light Projects is proud to announce the publication of TheTraveler by Thomas Hooper. The Traveler is a varied edition of 70 hand-embellished letterpress prints printed by Master Printer Paul Mullowney. The Traveler will be available for viewing and purchase at the Raking Light Projects hand-embellished print exhibit at the London Tattoo Convention on September 23 – 24 – 25.

Faced with the challenge of printing a detailed image onto hand-finished paper with different colors and textures, Paul Mullowney printed the key image in white and finished the edition by hand-dusting traditional Japanese GoFun pigment onto the fresh white ink to add opacity and shimmer in the manner of a technique employed on Ukiyo- e prints of the 19th century.

The first 20 The Traveler multiples will be available exclusively at the London Tattoo Convention as part of the Raking Light Projects hand-embellished print exhibit taking place in the Upper Gallery space.

The remaining edition will be featured in exhibitions presented by Raking Light Projects in Chicago and San Francisco with a portion of the edition reserved for release online.

For additional information on The Traveler, please contact andrew@rakinglightprojects.com.